Economic value of Toronto’s Greenbelt, Canada2010-12-09T13:43:13Zeconomic-value-of-toronto2019s-greenbelt-canada-1deliggia2011-04-13T17:24:59Z100Economic value of Toronto’s Greenbelt, CanadaHighlights of the Ecosystem Service Benefits:
Ecosystem Valuation
Benefits
Carbon Values
Air Protection Values
Watershed Values
Pollination Values
Biodiversity Value
Recreation Value
Agricultural Land Value
Annual Value (2005,
CDN $)
366 million
69 million
409 million
360 million
98 million
95 million
329 million
Ecosystem services were evaluated by:
1. Identifying land cover and land use using land cover data from the Southern
Ontario Land Resource Information System (SOLRIS).
2. Defining ecosystem services by ecosystem type
3. Valuing ecosystem services combining several methods:
• Replacement cost method for these services: wetland habitat (annualized
cost of local restoration of wetlands)
• Estimates of avoided costs for: forest/wetland water filtration services
(avoided water treatment cost), biodiversity value, carbon sequestration
services of forests, loss of seed dispersal services, sewage treatment, habitat
damage, drinking water treatment, loss of forest for carbon values
• Contingent valuation and willingness to pay for: cultural values, recreation
values
• Benefit transfer approach for: watershed services, erosion control, sediment
retention, biological control, agricultural services, pollination services
What was the input required?
The data used during the economic valuation was based on original analysis, peer-reviewed
studies and local information.
What policy instrument builds upon this ecosystem service information?
The Ontario Greenbelt has had support from the public, the provincial government,
municipalities and many other stakeholders since its formation in 2005. The estimated value
of ecosystem services is being used to educate policy-makers in a new campaign to expand
the Greenbelt's boundaries. This perspective is important since public knowledge on the
connection between human well-being and ecosystem services is limited. Many policymakers have a poor understanding of what natural capital is and how much it is worth for
sustaining the health and wellbeing of communities.
There is no incentive for policy-makers to act towards protecting natural capital or a
disincentive for preventing degradation. The message and the ‘common language’ of
ecosystem services and their importance in social and economic terms has been well
received by farmers, urban developers and government representatives outside the
conservation community. Yet, by itself, this has not resulted in concrete changes to urban
development trends.
Source:
Version 1.2 Last update: December/2010; Further information at: www.teebweb.org
2
Wilson, 2008. Ontario’s Wealth, Canada’s Future: Appreciating the Value of the Greenbelt’s
Eco-Services.
David
Suzuki
Foundation
<
http://www.davidsuzuki.org/publications/downloads/2008/DSF-Greenbelt-web.pdf>
More detailed breakdown of services and their value estimates
Acknowledgements: Kaitlin Almack (kaitlin.almack@gmail.com) for compiling the case, and
Gregory M. Mikkelson (gregory.mikkelson@mcgill.ca) for reviewing the case
Version 1.2 Last update: December/2010; Further information at: www.teebweb.org
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